How bad must it have been? How awful must Jordan Henderson have found life in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League to make it worth this? He went there boldly, portraying himself as a pioneer off to develop Saudi football, naively insisting he had to find out the truth about LGBTQ+ rights in Saudi Arabia; he is poised to return to Europe with Ajax after six months, looking ridiculous and facing an enormous tax bill.
Henderson had a reputation as one of the brighter, more engaged footballers. He led a campaign to raise funds for NHS staff during the pandemic and spoke out on issues of homophobia. As he put it plaintively in his notorious interview in the Athletic: “I’ve worn the laces. I’ve worn the armband.” But when it came to it, he took the cash: he says not quite the £700,000 a week that was reported, but “good money” nonetheless. Everybody has principles until they get offered £30m a year.
